Provinces are increasing spending by up to three times to establish full-day kindergarten for all students. Is this money well spent in terms of raising more intelligent youth?
Will full-day kindergarten make our kids smarter?
“Yes,” says Ontario’s former Minister of Education Leona Dombrowsky. Early learning translates to early triumphs, which will have long-term implications. “When children experience success at a primary level, they’re more likely to have success later in life,” says Dombrowsky. A full-day early learning environment also makes it easier to identify potential problems so children can get the help they need. When challenges such as English as a Second Language (ESL) and learning disabilities are identified early, children have a better chance of overcoming set backs and achieving success.
But can four- and five-year-olds concentrate for an entire day?
BC has full day kindergarten for all kids.
Hi
Just a small correction – the current Minister of Education is Laurel Broten (as of the last election in Oct 2011).
Thanks for the correction Jen. When I first started speaking with Leona about this, she was still the current Minister. I’ve added former.
sounds like bc has a better educational system than the states esp texas all day kindergarten here in the birdville isd multi citie district says they must read on a certain level or no pass kindergarten & yes this is very true i experinced it w/ my child, for 4 yr olds they only offer half day to low income & engish s 2nd language , so most kingergarteners this is 1st experience in school & a full day at that it wld be diffrent if the 1/2 day program was offered to every child ? i believe they need to start with half days , maybe 1/2 yr 1/2 days 2nd half full day ? kindergarten used to not be so demanding & so much pressure it used to be half day & learning for child to separate from mom & vise versa & learn to interact with other children & learn thru play no pressure learn to take turns & learn what a school day is like ect , 1 am 41 & thats how kinergatren was & it was not required either not all children come from staying in a day care sitting since 6 weeks old there are still a lot of children with a stay at home mother & many of these kids are also the only one in the home not all but alot unless mom had back to back kids , so these kids learn peer interaction for 1st time spareating from mom 1st time is hard on both mother & child moms probably cry more than the child , esp wen its a 1st child or the last child baby of family , hi achievment & hi paced academic performance is not for kindergarten , i believe we are starting too young & & wen you hold back kindergarteers for not reading a certain level its stupid , thats not usually expected till 1st grade kindergarten is to socialize & learn thru play period , buts its just like texas teaching the tax test & after 12 th graders have made it all the way thru school & are then denied a damn diploma simply because they didnt pass the damn tax test what does that say to our kids whom worked hard all thru school to the end of 12 grade ? all for nothing they are told work hard stay in school get your diploma ? laughable since texas decided toteach a tax test rater tan teach regular things & have a review & test over that & many kids dont pass tax test many seniors do not graduate because of tax test no pass no diploma now tax test is being fazed out what what replaces it , texas also birdville included except they cheat have hi drop out rates birdville lies & cheats by saying student is transferring rather than dropping out , they turn a blind eye at least dallas & ft worth know they have a problem & admit it & are willing to knock on doors & offer incintives to get kids bk to school offer incentives to stay in school & also identify the ones at hi risk develope a plan put it in place mentor these kids find out whats going on at home & in their life & if a person took an interest these kids may wld graduate rather than falling thru the damn cracks & no one caring birdville dont care , if kids fall thru the cracks at birdville ids , theyjustsmoth over the concrete & throw a rug over it so no one will ever notice & walk right over it , you no it wldnt take much to intervine for the kids & champion for them have a mentor watch over them & pick them up wen the stumple or fall thtn kicking them down to the ground & standin on them to prevent them from getting up by :cynthia martin north richland hills texas
Montessori education is based on the belief that the first 6 years of a child’s life are primed for learning, moreso than at any other age. I think full-day kindergarten is a wonderful evolution of our education system….
Just look at how quickly a child can learn new works or a new skill and you see how quickly children pick up on new skills at this age. It’s so important to put forth the effort at an early age. I am fortunate enough that I can place my children in afternoon classes and activities–not everyone is so lucky.